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NOVAK DJOKOVIC NAMED SPORTSMAN OF YEAR

February 7th, 2012

The winners of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards have been unveiled at a globally televised Awards Ceremony in London and Novak Djokovic was crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after his remarkable 2011 season.

The 24-year old Serbian was rewarded for playing a season to remember, winning three out of four Grand Slam events – the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open – and climbing to the tennis world No. 1 ranking. Furthermore he was the first male tennis player ever to claim five ATP Masters 1000 titles within one year. In total, Djokovic took home ten ATP titles and compiled a 70-6 season record, including a 41-match winning streak from the beginning of the season.

Djokovic, who recommends the HEAD YouTek IG Speed racquet, also kicked-off into the 2012 season in style claiming his fifth Grand Slam title at the Australian Open against Rafael Nadal in an epic 5-set thriller, which marked the longest Grand Slam Final in tennis history. He is now aiming to complete his career Grand Slam at the French Open in May.

"I dare to dream of becoming the best player. Now I have this special award and I think everything is possible," said Djokovic. "I will try to set up my form for Roland Garros first of all, where I want to get the title and go all the way through. Then I'll start thinking about Wimbledon and the Olympics. I have proven on numerous occasions that I can really be one of the candidates to win a Grand Slam on every surface. I need to keep that up. Roland Garros is the one to win this year."

The Laureus World Sports Awards are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar. The winners are chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during 2011, were announced at the Awards Ceremony at Central Hall, Westminster, which was hosted by Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winner Clive Owen and attended by guests from the worlds of sport and entertainment. Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries around the world, including five in London. Since its inception, Laureus has raised €40 million for projects which have improved the lives of more than one-and-a-half million young people.

ABOUT LAUREUS

Laureus combines the Laureus World Sports Awards, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Academy to form a unique international sports organisation that uses the inspirational power of sport as a force for good. The Laureus Foundation is a global leader in research, expertise and best practice in supporting grassroots programmes around the world.